Monarchs Spoil Pirates Playoff Hopes

Portland, ME – With a solemn locker room, the Portland Pirates faced the realization that they would not be part of post-season as they were officially eliminated from playoff contention after falling to the Manchester Monarchs, 3-1 in front of 4,623 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

For Pirates Captain Tim Brent, it will be the first time in his career he will not being playing an active role in the post-season.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever in missed the playoffs,” Brent said. “You don’t know what it’s really like until you’re in the situation. You can go to any player that loves the game and enjoys the competition and the first thing they’d tell you how terrible it would be to miss the playoffs.”

After one period of play, the game was tied 1-1 after Joe Motzko scored his 28th goal of the season at 15:19 of the first period, but the Pirates found themselves in trouble as they began the second period short-handed for 4:26 including a 34-second segment in which the Monarchs were five-on-three.

With the Monarch on a five-on-three, they would regain the lead as Trevor Lewis was credited with his second goal of the season as his shot deflected on Tim Brent’s stick by Pirates goaltender Gerald Coleman at 2:58 of the second period.

“It seems to be the same issue every night,” said Brent. “We’d put in 50-minutes a night of just great work where all the guys are pulling in the same direction and then we take five or 10 minutes off. We’re in a good league and other teams are going to capitalize when that happens and those 50-minutes go for not because of the 10-minutes we lose our focus.”

Petr Kanko put the Monarchs up 3-1 as a loose puck was in the slot; he unloaded a slap shot, beating Coleman at 12:40 of the second period.

The Pirates held the Monarch to just three shots in the third period, but they couldn’t generate many scoring chances of their own.

“There’s nothing to be said after that performance,” said Pirates Head Coach Kevin Dineen. “This certainly didn’t look like a desperate hockey team.”

Plank Notes:
– The Pirates were fighting several injuries as Geoff Peters (abdomen), Petteri Wirtanen (knee) and Matt Keith broke his big toe in his right foot in practice, he played on it for several games, but it was too much pain. Also injured was Joe Motzko, who is still suffering from a shoulder injury and Bjorn Melin was in street clothes in the third period as he is suffering from a groin strain.
– As a result of the injuries, the Pirates signed Charlie Kronschnabel to a PTO; he played seven games with the Reading Royals of the ECHL, scoring one goal and one assist for two points. The 6-4, 209-pound native of Minnesota played for the University of Alaska-Anchorage. The Pirates also signed Pierre-Luc O’Brien to a PTO; he played for Sacred Heart University this season, scoring 16 goals, 30 assists for 46 games in 36 games.
– The Pirates also reassigned goaltender David McKee and defenseman Sean Blanchard to the Augusta Lynx for their mini-series against the Charlotte Checkers as a result the Pirates signed goaltender Ray Jean to an ATO. Jean from Randolph, Maine played for Bentley College, going 9-15-1 with a 4.00GAA and a 0.880 save percentage.
– After the game, the Anaheim Ducks recalled Aaron Rome because Ric Jackman is still suffering from lower back pain.
– The Pirates will conclude their regular season, this weekend as they travel to Lowell for their final road game of the season before returning to Portland for the second half of the home-and-home with the Lowell Devils. Game time is 7:05pm.